Critically analyse "The Pride of Youth" by Sir Walter Scott.

This short poem by Sir Walter Scott seems to capture the
haughtiness of youth through the way in which the response "Proud Maisie" receives to
her question to the Robin tricks her into anticipating some kind of grand wedding to a
handsome and rich man, only to discover that the event the Robin is talking about is her
own death, which appears to be the only repayment for her pride and vanity. Note the way
that that Robin's first response to Maisie cleverly disguises the true meaning and
implication behind his words. When asked when Maisie shall marry, the Robin
responds: "When six braw gentlemen / Kirkward shall carry ye."It is only when Maisie
asks the Robin "Who makes the bridal bed," that the true nature of the Robin's response
is made clear as the sexton is the man who will make Maisie's bridal death. Note how the
final stanza brings Maisie's folly full circle with reference to the way that the owl
shall sing to her "Welcome, proud lady." Thus the "proud" Maisie of the first stanza is
welcomed to her death through her pride, it is suggested, in the final stanza. The title
thus refers to the way that we can be so proud of ourselves in our youth and so blind to
the way that this can actually endanger us.